Hey Mike,

>Date:    Sun, 3 Sep 2006 10:07:55 -0400
>From:    Mike Bucchino <mbucchino@CHARTER.NET>
>Subject: Re: Debunking GoWesty!
>
>  I lived in Phoenix for 12 yrs, and drove many busses from 61 to 86.  "the
>Dr." at AllBug hand-worked my '59's hood and rear fenders, he was a great
>guy.
>
Yeah, that was Joe, the owner.  Quite a character, and did great
bodywork and painting (considering he didn't even have an enclosed
booth!) while Roy did the majority of the wrench twisting. Shame their gone.

>He did Uncle Jerry's Fridolin, too.  I dealt heavily with Tom Bowman,
>and Dean Golden (& Darryl), Sam (SWIT), and all the guys at BAP.  Ron Thomas
>bought Tom Bowman's stuff from his widow.  He'll be greatly missed.  Top
>quality VW machinework for the best prices around.
>
Yep, back in the 'heydays' of the '80's when you could build a bug motor
for under $300 (new P&L's, valves, guides, reconned rods, crank kit,
cam, and align bored), or pick one up off the shelf from BAP for $425 stock.

>  I converted my 84 to square-headlights, I like the updated styling, and
>the relayed 4-bulb halogen lighting is definitely an improvement over the
>original 2-bulb sealed-beams.  I am curious about the e-code lenses, but am
>not about to sink alot more money into lights than I already have.
>
Interesting.  I've never been real happy with the low beam pattern on
the square lights, even relayed.  High beams are great, but the sealed
beams (if you upgraded them) always seemed to be better on low beam to me.

>  I, too, have seen some strange buses all over the world, still driven
>daily, so some things must be being done right.
>
As have I.   The original VW factory motors faired much better than
rebuilds, here as well as elsewhere.  Cases from Mexico and Brazilian
P&L's took a toll on longevity.  But then for a couple hundred bucks,
that's not much more than routine maintenance.